Operating mechanism for registers



June 26, 1923. 1,459,730

F. c. HARRIS OPERATING MECHANISM FOR REGISTERS Filed Nov. 17, 1919 WI TNESS: IN VEN TOR.

WM Z FRANK C HARR/a y BY WW6. M

A TTORNE Y.

Patented June 26, 1923.

UNITED STATES FRANK C. HARRIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOI$.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR REGISTERS.

Application "filed November 17, 1919. Serial No. 838,735.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK C. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residin at Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Operating Mechanisms for Registers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved form of 0 crating mechanism for registers and the like in which the operating mechanism is designed for operation by electrical means such for example as suitable switching devices actuated by the mechanism the operation of which is to be indicated on the register. While my operating mechanism is particularly applicable for the operation of registers it will be understood that it is also applicable for any similar purpose in which it is desired to operate the mechanism by a 'step-by-step motion so that the degree of operation of said mechanism may correspond with the number of impulses imparted to the operating mechanism by the actuating devices.

My invention is characterized by the use of a'member having a step-by-step motion together with electromagnetic devices for operating said member, circuit connections extending from said devices and switching mechanism exercising control over said circuit connections at two points, by which the first control initiated by the actuating mechanism serves to operate the electromagnetic devices and the actuated member, by operating a part of the switching mechanism, serves to render inoperative the circuit connection of the operated device and establish at one point the o erative condition of the circuit connection or another one or the operating devices. The latter feature is particularly important in connection with actuating mechanism that is relatively slow in movement, for the control initiated by the actuating mechanism might otherwise retain the circuit of the electromagnetic device in closed condition for a considerable period and in that manner result in an excessivecurrent flow "from the source empioyed to actuate the electromagnetic devices.

My invention will best be reference to the accompanyi showing a preferred embodiment trier-o L, l which-:- I

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view oper ating mechanism complete,

Fig. 2 shows a form of register in side elevation that is adapted for operation by means of my improved operating mechanism.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in Fig. 1 my operating mech' nism consists of a rocking member 10 whi may be supported on the shaft 11 of a regis tering mechanism 12. The member 10 pivotally carries a pawl 13 which is spring actuated to engage a ratchet wheel 14 secured to the unit wheel of the registering mechanism 12. The registering mechanism ma be of any desired typeas for example a p urality of indicatin wheels connected by carry-over wheels 15 o usual construction. As the register itself forms no part of my present invention I do not describe an particular ,form of register, for these devices are well known in the art.

The member 10 has formed on its ends downwardly extending projections or connections 16 and 17 which form cores for the solenoids 18 and 19 respectively. The

member 10 has also formed thereon between the cores 16 and 17 a projecting arm 20 upon which is mounted a contact spring 21 which is insulated from said arm. The contact springs 22 and 23 are mounted upon a suitable insulating support 24 to lie in the path of the contact spring 21 so that said contact spring 21 engages the spring 22 after the rocking arm has been actuated by means of the solenoid 19 and that the contact spring 21 engages the contact spring 23 when the rocking arm has been actuated by the solenoid 18. The end of the arm 20 engages a spring detent 25 pivotally supported at 26 and having cam surfaces 27 and 28, as a result of which when the arm 20 is moved to either side of its central position, its engagement with the corresponding cam surface will serve to move the arm and the parts carried thereby to the end of their possible motion. The arrangement of the spring contacts 22 and 23 is such that theyengage the spring contact 21 for either direction of motion of the rocking member 10 until the spring contact 21 has been moved a sufficient amount for the and of the arm 20 to pass the dividing point between cam sur- "faces 27 and 28. The spring Contact 22 is connected by wire 29 with one terminal of the solenoid 1,8 and the spring contact 23 is connected by wire 30 with one terminal through solenoid 18 which,

"\w T: A1.

Vfhile the switching mechanism employed to control the circuits of the solenoids i8 and 19 may be of widely different types, l show diagrammaticaily a construction in which the circuits are controlled by too operation of the wheel of a vehicle, as for ex ample a taxi-cab. vehicle wheel 33 is shown diagrammatically as having a gear 34: secured thereto which meshes with a second gear 35 carried on a shaft 86 which also carries a worm 37 meshing with a worm wheel The wheel 38 carries an insulat- 'noves around with i or 38 eng es successively the spring acts 4-0 and ll to move them into engagernent successively the spring con tact 22 saicl contacts being suitably sup ported; and; insul from a supgort not shown. The contact ll) is connected l wire 43 with the other terminal of the solenoid 18, the contact ll is connected by wire at with the other terminal of the soienoicl l9 the contact 42 is connected by wire with the oth r temiinal of ihe'batter r 32.

As a result the circuit connections ele scrihal will observed when the contact coring 40 is moved into engagement with circuit is closml by energizing 16 thus moving to the rig 1i and as the arm pass position, Contact between springs 21 22 's broken and contact hetween the sprin s 2i ancl 523 is established. The earn surface 20 err/es move the rocking member the section of motion around to will be observeci interrnp through contac spring a letter attracts the core the rochin" member around its srinoo the v L7 tS ell c) 1 1 m consirleraole interval" LCHMDUUQ song s of wheel c i 39 from the contact spi l0 which thereupon moves "from gi-iinent with the contact spring and. suhscquently stud. 39 engages the contact sprino 41 IIEOVIDQ" it into engagement with contact spring .12 thus closing energizing circuit through the SUlBDOKl 19, since this time the contact springs 21 and are in engagement with each other. This energization of the solenoicl 1 9 attracts the core 17, thus moving the rocking member 10 around to the left on its support 11, which continues until the end of arm 20 h hetween t no cars surfaces 527 and 28, from which the arm 2!) and the parts I 9. .H. ".3 I certs-3o e eci are mores to the common inring detect taro ugh the struction in carryin passed over the peak or point even though contact springs "1313i; with .ch

e circuit oi th Lion as i 1 concer-nerh J; n n

tic

iev ices the disabling on of its oper circuit the end oi movement of gilt: member opera-ted there J l l -"accs operative condition as switch- 441g mechanism controlled by saicl member is concerned the actuating circuit of another o the electromagetic cl operate saicl 'llQHll' ices employed will also be observed that 1' pro ide a scene by vhich the inerncer employ-co to operate the other clevice is ositiia eiy opera in both of its directions of motion and that this operation takes place efilectively and positively regardless of the M c of operation of the actuating inechani er cessive current ticng mechanism r time i a position cicsi by E5 the A switching mechanism as l mean the position 0 i that switching mechanism which when pe by other conditions of the iUllDGCt'lKl circuit, will produce an operation oi the device con nected with the circuit on condition of circ clition of the circuit s1 that the 1 connected with it will be c tuaerl for that condition.

l vhile l have shown particular enihoiliniei'it not however limit inysei ut my invention. as I may employ equi i thereof known to the art at the time of the filing; of this application without clepcrtii from the scope of the appendecl claims.

W'hat ll claim is:

1. in a device of the class combination of a rocl pawl and ratchet mocha member and sairl I magnetic device for .no said member in one (lirectioin a electromagnetic (lo vice for moving" oil-Ki ncinber iu' the other direction, a source or current, an operating circuit extending from Grin source each.

of said devices, a first switching mechanism for successively closin said circuit-s, a sec: ond switching mechanism actuated by said member for opening the circuit of said first device" after its operation andplacing the circuit of said second device. in condition for operation by said first switching mechanism, and mechanical means for moving said member through the latter part of its motion in either direction;

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a rocking member, a register, pawl and ratchet mechanism connecting said member and said register, a first electromagnetic device for moving said member in one direction, a second electromagnetic device for moving said member in the other direction, a source of current, an operating cirfor moving said member in the other direction, a source of current, an operating circuit extending from said source to each of said devices, a first switching mechanism for successively closing said circuits, a second switching mechanism actuated by said member for opening either of said circuits after its operation and closing the other of said circuits at a first point to permit operation of said other circuit by its closure at a second point by said first switching mechanism, and mechanical means for moving said member throughthe latter part of its motion in either direction.

4;. In a device of the blass described, the combination of a member adapted to stepby-step movement, electromagnetic devices for moving said member, a, source of current, circuits extending from said source to said devices, switching mechanism having two controlling devices for each of said circuits for rendering each of said circuits operative by one of its controlling devices and then inoperative by its second controlling device,

the operation of said second controlling device moving the second controlling device of another circuit from inoperative to operative position, and mechanical means for moving said member through the latter part of each step of its movement.

In a device of the class described, the combination of a rocking member, a register, pawl and ratchet mechanism connecting said member and said register, a first electromagnetic device for moving said member in one direction, a second electromagnetic device for moving said member in the other direction, circuit connections extending from said devices, switching mechanism operated by said member for opening the circuit connections to said first device by its operation and closlng the clrcuit connections to said second dev ce and woe versa, and spring mechanism for moving said member through the latter part of its movement in either direction.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of two electromagnets, an armature having its ends located for alternate operation by said electromagnets and provided with a pivot between its ends, an arm extending from the mid portion of said armature transversely of said pivot, a spring detent engaging the end portion of said arm,

the engaging portions of said detent and arm compr sing cam surfaces for moving said arm in either direction from its mid position, an insulated electric contact carried by said arm, and a fixed electric contact spring upon'each side of said arm contact and in engagement therewith for the mid position of said arm contact and separated from said arm contact when said arm contact is in its position remote from said fixed con tact spring.

7 .In a device of the class described, the combination of two electromagnets, an armature having its ends located for alternate operation by said electromagnets and provided with a pivot between its ends, an arm extending from the mid portion'of said armature transversel of said pivot, .a spring detent engaging th the engaging portions of said detent and e end portion of said arm,

arm comprising cam surfaces for moving said arm in either direction from its mid position, and two electric contacts actuated by said arm and in closed position for the mid position of said arm, each of, said contacts beingin open condition for a positionof said arm remote from said contact.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of two electromagnets, an armature having its ends located for alternate operation by said electromagnets and provided with a pivot between its ends, an arm extending from the mid portion of said armature transversely of said pivot, a spring detent engaging the end portion of said arm, the engaging portions of said detent and arm comprising cam surfaces for moving said arm in either direction from its mid position, an insulated electric contact carried by said arm. a fixed electric contact spring upon each side of said arm contact and in engagement therewith for the mid position of said arm contact and separated from said arm contact when said arm contact is in its position remote from said fixed contact spring, an energizing circuit extending through each of said electromagnets and one of said contact springs and means for successiveiy closing said circuits;

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of two eiectromagnets, an armature having its ends located for alternate op eration. by said eiectromagnets and Provided with a pivot between its end an. arm extending from the mid portion of said armature transversely of said pivot, a spring detent engaging the end portion or" said arm, the engaging portionsof said detent and arm comprising cam surfaces for moving meow so said arm in either direction from its mid position, two electric contacts actuated by said arm and in closed position for the mid position of said arm, each of said contacts being in open condition for a position of said arm remote from said contact, an energizing circuit extending through each of said clectromagnets/and one of said contacts, and means for successively closing said cir cuits. a

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5 day of Norm A D 1919-.

FRANK Co HARRIS. 

